SAMPLE DOCUMENT Type of Document: Collections Plan Date: 2009 Museum Name: Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum Type: Ethnically/Culturally/Tribally Specific Budget Size: $5 million to $9.9 million Budget Year: 2009 Governance Type: Private, Nonprofit Organization Accredited: Yes Notes on strengths or special features: The document has the following elements: Identifies museum s audiences and how they will be served by the collections Reviews strengths and weaknesses of existing collections Includes gap analysis suggesting potential acquisitions & deaccessions Sets priorities for acquisitions and deaccessions Identifies collections held by other institutions that may affect museum s decisions Takes into account existing or needed resources Tied to interpretive plan (formal or informal) Tied to research plan (formal or informal) Other: USE STATEMENT & COPYRIGHT NOTICE The AAM Information Center has provided this sample document. It serves as an example of how one museum addresses a particular issue. Museums should compose original materials based on their unique circumstances. Any document produced by the recipient should not substantially use the contents of this sample as the basis. Materials in the AAM Information Center are provided "as is," without any guarantee or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. NOTICE CONCERNING COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS Under certain conditions specified in the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code), libraries and archives may furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. The photocopy or reproduction may not be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research. If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of fair use, that user may be liable for copyright infringement.
Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum Of The Seminole Tribe of Florida Collection Plan I. Introduction This plan consists of the following sections: introduction, museum mission statement and long-range planning, collection history, collection priorities, collection description, evaluation, and revision of the plan. This plan will ensure that all museum employees, when dealing with collection issues, will be following the overall mission of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. This plan contains the necessary information to describe the scope of The Museum s collections, the strategies of how we will acquire additional collection items, as well as who will have access to them. The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum s Collection Policy should also be mentioned as it outlines the specific policies and procedures used to ensure the proper documentation, care, storage, conservation, and exhibition of collection items. This plan was written by a combination of collection and executive level staff of the Museum. Multiple drafts were written and it is reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that it is up-to-date with current best practices within the museum field. I. Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Mission and Planning The mission of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is to collect, preserve, protect, and interpret Seminole culture and history inspiring an appreciation and understanding of the Seminole people. This statement infers that the Museum must make a constant effort to collect the appropriate types of items and further, that when in its possession, these items must be handled with the utmost of care. The ten year (10) strategic plan of the Museum consists of ten (10) goals in the areas of Collections, Historic Preservation, Physical Plant, and Administration. Our most prevalent goal is to gain accreditation from the American Association of Museums. This collection plan will ensure that the collection staff will employ best practices in the museum field, and that they will be properly informed of the larger collection needs and goals. II. Collection History The contents of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum collections were acquired over the last twenty (20) years. Before the museum had a permanent structure and location for its collections, various Museum and Tribal employees purchased items and received donations with a general plan towards collecting Seminole related items. In the last five (5) years, a formal collection plan and policy were drafted and adopted. These latest
documents provide a more focused view of what the collection consists of and where it is going. III. Current Collection Parameters Collection Mission To collect all archival and material culture items related to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and more generally speaking, to the Native American populations of the Southeastern United States. To properly document, house, preserve, and utilize these items to further knowledge of the Seminole people. The Museum recognizes that it will not be able to house and care for all such objects, however, those considered to be associated with a significant Seminole person, event, place or activity, will be acquired either through donation or purchase. All modern artwork (post 1900) collected should be the work of a Seminole Tribal artist. Collection Audiences The collections of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum belong to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and as such, they also belong to the Tribal members. We actively encourage Tribal members to utilize the resources of the collection as well as make donations. The other major priority of this Collection Plan is to encourage the use of our collections to outside researchers and students. Because we are centrally located in the southern half of the State, our Museum is only one to two hours distance from five state schools and a dozen or more community colleges. As part of our mission, we will strive to contact and provide services to any interested outside parties in their pursuit of Seminole culture and history. Collection Shortfalls At present, the only inconsistencies with our permanent collections are the apparent uneven quantities of certain items. In particular, the clothing and doll collections are numerous while the contemporary art and library areas are in need of some added resources. Existing Collections A. Permanent Artifact (Three Dimensional) Collection Our artifact collection contains the following categories: Southeastern beaded bags and clothing; patchwork clothing, saw palmetto, wooden and ceramic dolls, palmetto and sweetgrass baskets, militaria, ephemera, and wooden items. Items collected are both made by and of the Seminole people. These items represent the major craft categories of the Seminole culture as well as items pertaining to the 40+ year period of the Seminole wars. B. Permanent Archival (Works on Paper) Collection We consider our archival collection to be paramount to the Museum s mission. Our 2
collection of maps, government documents, postcards, newspapers, and manuscripts, contain some of the more personal and valuable information regarding the Seminole Tribe. Although very few archival items were written by Tribal members, the information provided in these documents provides a rich historical background of the history of the Tribe. C. Library The Museum s library consists of 375 linear feet of shelf space. We have books, journals and a reference section. We are constantly striving to obtain any and all books and journals pertaining to the Seminole culture and the Southeastern Indians in general. These items are available for researchers to use in the facilities, they are not loaned out to anyone except Museum staff and staff must strictly use the books exclusively on museum property. D. Archaeological Collections Currently, the Museum collects, accessions and stores only those items that result from cultural resource surveys performed by the Tribal Historic Preservation Office of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. At no time, are human remains or items associated with burials ever collected or stored at any Tribal facility. As the archaeological repository for the Tribal Historic Preservation office, these collections are available for Tribal members and outside researchers to utilize. E. Cultural Resource Management Archives At present, the Tribal Historic Preservation office holds over 531 cultural resource reports as part of its collection. These reports were conducted for environmental and archaeological purposes and contain valuable information regarding the prehistoric and historic components of Seminole history. F. Ethnographic Items from Current Tribal Members It is a constant goal of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, to acquire modern day artistic works created by Seminole Tribal members. These works of art tie our collections to the community and allow the Tribe to perpetuate the artistic styles of Tribal artists. G. Teaching/Exhibit Collection This collection is used for all exhibit and educational purposes and allows our Community Outreach and Education Departments to facilitate their programs and activities. The collections consist of replica items (clothing, basketry, dolls, etc.) that represent both the historic and prehistoric periods of Seminole history. H. Oral History Archives The oral history interviews and transcriptions of interviews are available to Seminole Tribal members only. The content of these interviews varies but they are designed to cover all aspects of Seminole life (spiritual, economic, family, etc ) I. Archival Ephemera Collection This collection consists of newspaper clippings, Tribal notices, flyers and announcements. These items document the daily activities of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and its various departments and enterprises. J. Audio/Video Collection This collection consists of numerous forms of digital and magnetic media. The subject matter of this collection spans a 3
wide area. Many of the tapes are homemade style items of Tribal parties, events, and contests. IV. Desired Collections and Objects A. Boehmer Photographic Collection One complete set of William Boehmer photographs resides with a local historian/writer. It is believed that this collection was supposed to reside with the STOF as soon as a suitable collection storage area was built. Since we have two such buildings on the Big Cypress Reservation, we feel that we have more than sufficient space and facilities to house these photographs. B. Stanley Hanson Ethnographic Collection This collection consists of numerous letters, manuscripts, photos, postcards and other archival items that belonged to Stanley Hanson Sr. Mr. Hanson has recently passed away and tentative arrangements are being made to acquire this collection. C. David West Linguistic Collection This collection consists of manuscripts and field notes of the linguist who worked with Seminole and Creek speaking Native Americans in the 1940s. Documentation has been sent to Mr. West s niece to complete the transaction of this donation. V. Implementation of Collection Plan In order to achieve our ultimate two-fold goal for the collection, we need to do the following: Revisit our Collection Plan and Policy on an annual basis, making all necessary changes based on the Collection Committee s comments and any comments from staff that are applicable to collection issues Adhere to all points within the plan and make note of any inconsistencies or less than functional aspects of the plan Properly educate and train all collection staff on the content of this plan Continue collecting Seminole and Southeastern items with an eye toward evening out our material culture collection as per the previously mentioned Collection Shortfall section. 4